Stop Brampton Expropriation of Elderly Couple on Queen St W

My grandparents have lived at their home on Queen Street West in Brampton for the last fifty years.

Before that they lived on Denison Street in Brampton. My grandfather worked in the construction industry until he retired in the early 1990s. He built both of their homes with his own hands as well as those of their two children, my mother and uncle, who also reside in Brampton with their families.

My grandfather suffered two strokes in the last two years and my grandmother is recovering from a battle with cancer. At this point they would like nothing more than to remain in the comfort of their home where they have spent most of their lives and enjoy their remaining time together.

Plans to develop the Queen Street West area and widen the road have resulted in the expropriation of my grandparents' home. Soon they will be forced to move out and watch their home be demolished to make way for the new development (ie: cookie-cutter houses and strip malls). Last summer someone came to their door, showed them some official documents and all but forced them to sign away their home. Sure they're getting money for the home but they simply don't want to move at their age! Now my grandparents feel helpless and miserable, like the world has turned on them. They don't think they can do anything about their situation. Well I don't share those beliefs.

I believe it is wrong to kick hard-working, well-to-do citizens out of their homes to make way for 'progress'. And I find it very disheartening and ironic that someone who worked their whole life building homes would have their own home taken away to allow for new development. Is that what's in store for us? Will we work our whole lives for the greater 'good' only to have that 'good' crush us underfoot in the end?

I call for my fellow citizens of Brampton to petition against this situation. My grandparents may not feel they can help themselves but, if we stand together, I believe we can help them! I will be sending the petition to the mayor's office in Brampton.